What does Joshua 3:10 mean?

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Joshua 3:10

Explanation

This verse from Joshua 3:10 provides reassurance to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, which is also known as Canaan. Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses, is speaking directly to the Israelites and makes a bold declaration confirming God’s presence among them. He proclaims that it is a certainty that Yahweh, the “living God,” is among His people and that He will unquestionably drive out the Canaanite tribes occupying the land which God had promised to the Israelites. The text lists seven nations, representing the completeness and totality of God’s promise to dispossess the current inhabitants of the land.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the context of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness. Joshua 3:10 takes place as the Israelites are encamped by the Jordan River, on the brink of crossing into Canaan. The historical period is the Late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BC. After forty years of wandering, the Israelites are about to realize the fulfillment of the promise God made to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that they would inherit the land.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Joshua 3:10 is significant as it illustrates God’s faithfulness in keeping promises. Many theologians posit that this verse underscores the sovereign power of God—He can deliver on His word despite any obstacles. Furthermore, the mention of the “living God” contrasts Yahweh with the idols of the Canaanites, which are considered lifeless and powerless. The text is also an implicit call for Israel to have faith and trust in God’s plan and leadership.

Practical Applications

Joshua 3:10 can teach contemporary readers about trusting in divine promises and assistance when facing daunting challenges. It encourages believers to remember that, if God is with them, they can confront and overcome various “giants” in their lives—a metaphorical reference to the Canaanite tribes. It also serves as a call for faith and courage, urging individuals to move forward with boldness in pursuing their divinely-ordained purposes.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 7:1: “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;”
• Joshua 21:44: “And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.”
• Nehemiah 9:8: “And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew, the phrase “living God” (אֱלֹהִים חַי) emphasizes the active, dynamic presence of God, contrasting the inert nature of idols worshiped by other cultures. The Hebrew verb translated as “will without fail drive out” (הוֹרֵשׁ) suggests a forceful dispossession, indicating that God will actively and surely remove the Canaanite tribes.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the ancient Near East, conquering and dispossessing peoples were common themes. In contrast to other ancient myths where gods were often capricious or warlike, the Hebrew narrative frames the conquest as the enactment of divine justice and fulfillment of a covenant promise. Other mythologies, like the Epic of Gilgamesh, also contain themes of divine-human interaction and battles over territory, but the motivations and outcomes are framed differently.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern archaeological and scientific perspectives often analyze ancient texts like this through the lens of historical and cultural context, assessing the evidence for large-scale conquests. Some scholars debate the extent and nature of the Israelite settlement in Canaan, with limited archaeological evidence of a widespread, sudden conquest. This viewpoint would view the Book of Joshua as more of a theological narrative rather than a straightforward historical account.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered various interpretations of Joshua 3:10. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary suggests that the passage demonstrates God’s omnipotence and willingness to act on behalf of His people. The Pulpit Commentary points out the significance of listing the seven nations, alluding to the idea of completeness in God’s delivery of the land to Israel. More critical commentaries might examine the text’s position within the Deuteronomistic history, viewing it as a theological interpretation of Israel’s formation and identity.